Reading-desk.



PL BAILLOD.

READING DESK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1911.

1,020,875. Patented Mar. 19, 1912.

COLUMBIA PLANDURAPH cu.. WASHIN c.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

PAUL BAILLOD, OF LA GHAUX-DE'FONDS, SWITZERLAND.

READING-DESK.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL BAILLOD, a citizen of the Republic ofSwitzerland, residing at La ChauX-de-Fonds, in the Canton of Neufchatel,Republic of Switzerland, (whose post-oflice address is 87 Rue du Nord,La Cl1itLlX-Cl8 FOI1(lS,) have invented a certain new and usefulImproved Reading-Desk; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact descript-ion of the invent-ion, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and toletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

This invention relates to reading desks with adjustable leaf holders,for reading while lying down, and has for object an improved readingdesk by means of which sick persons can turn over the leaves of the bookusing one hand only.

The invention consists in an improved reading desk of the above type inwhich the leaf holders consist of rods parallel to the back of the bookand capable of being adjusted in various positions in the frame holdingthe book, the said rods traversing this frame from top to bottom.

One example of the invention is illustrated in the drawing, in whichFigure 1 is a front perspective view, Fig. 2 an end elevation, and Fig.3 a section through the line A-A of Fig. 2.

The desk consists of a back plate a of wood for example having retainingedges a and a? at the top and bottom. Both these edges are provided atthe two ends and at the middle with holes (Z (Z cl through which arepassed rods 6 0 c.

On the back of the back plate are provided one or two hooks whereby thedesk can be suspended from a string or attached to a bed table, bedsteador an ordinary table or the like.

The book is laid on the back plate with the holding rods removed andwith the lower edge of the book resting on the edge a The holding rod 5'is then pushed through two holes in the edges a a in such a manner as topass through the back of the binding in the case of a bound book. Theleaves are then gently pressed against the back plate by hand and theholding Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 15, 1911.

Patented Mar. 19, 1912.

Serial No. 627,289.

rods 6 e inserted in suitable holes of the rows (Z and (Z so that theypass over the unprinted margins of the book pages and do not interferewith reading. The holding rods 6 and a must be at a suflicient distancefrom the back plate a that all the leaves of the book can find roombehind both the said rods 6 and c.

From Fig. 1 of the drawings it is obvious that as each leaf is turned itcan be easily withdrawn from one of the rods 0 or e and insertedunderneath the other without it being necessary to remove the rods.

The back plate may be made of any other material besides wood, forexample, wire netting, sheet met-a1, cardboard, leather or the like.

Paper covered books and books without stiff back and covers can be heldin the desk by opening them near the middle and inserting the rod 0along the central fold whereupon all the leaves are turned over to theright and secured in this position by the rod 0 The leaves may then beturned over in the above described manner.

The method of inserting and adjusting the rods 0 a", e in the back platemay be effected in any way other than the one illustrated.

WVhat I claim is 1. In a reading desk of the type set forth, a backplate, leaf holding rods arranged parallel to the back of the book, topand bottom vertical edges on the back plate, rows of holes adapted toreceive the holding rods at the ends and middle of these edges, andmeans for supporting the back plate.

2. In a reading desk of the type set forth, the combination of a backplate having angular-1y disposed top and bottom edges; said angularedges having a plurality of holes therein; and three leaf holding rodsdisposed parallel with said back plate; one of said rods located at themiddle of the back plate and the other of said rods located at the endsof said back plate, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

PAUL BAILLOD.

\Vitnesses:

A. DUTRIA, LEO J. FRANKENTHAL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

